Are there any "math for people who just want to use it" tracks in math pedagogy? I don't care a bit about proving any of it's true, or even reading others proofs of same. "Recognize which tool to apply, then apply tool", all focused on real-world use (so, yes, it wouldn't be "real" mathematics). That's the math education I'd like—try as I might, I just can't make myself care even a little about math for math's sake.
I've got Mathematics for the Nonmathematician by Kline and that's kinda heading the right way, but what about whole courses of study? More books? It's more of an introduction than a thorough resource or course, and feels like it needs another four or five volumes and a lot more exercises to be really useful.
I want a mathematics education designed for all those kids (likely a large majority?) who spent math from about junior high on wondering, aloud or to themselves, why the hell they were spending so much time learning all this. One that puts that question front and center and doesn't teach a single thing without answering it really well, first.
I've got Mathematics for the Nonmathematician by Kline and that's kinda heading the right way, but what about whole courses of study? More books? It's more of an introduction than a thorough resource or course, and feels like it needs another four or five volumes and a lot more exercises to be really useful.
I want a mathematics education designed for all those kids (likely a large majority?) who spent math from about junior high on wondering, aloud or to themselves, why the hell they were spending so much time learning all this. One that puts that question front and center and doesn't teach a single thing without answering it really well, first.